After everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, the others began tidying up. Qin Ke called out to Pei Xiu, who was about to leave.
"Elder Sister Pei, wait a moment."
Pei Xiu turned to look at him, her gaze clear and bright. The few cups of light wine seemed to have had no effect on her at all.
Qin Ke led her toward the study. Before leaving, he glanced at Lu Youqing, who was still seated where she was. Candlelight bathed her figure, softening her cool and elegant features. She gave him a barely perceptible nod.
She never interfered with his decisions regarding these "business matters."
He lit the candles in the study. The faint flame instantly dispelled the darkness, filling the room with a warm, gentle glow.
"Have a seat," Qin Ke said, sitting behind the desk.
"Is Young Master Qin planning to talk with me about this 'hotpot'?" Pei Xiu asked as she sat down smoothly, her words carrying a hint of implication.
"Of course," Qin Ke replied without concealment, smiling as he nodded. His dark eyes fixed steadily on her, carefully observing her expression. "After trying it yourself, Elder Sister Pei, what do you think—do these things have potential?"
His tone was modest, but confidence shone clearly on his face.
"How does Young Master Qin wish to cooperate?" Pei Xiu had always preferred efficiency and clarity. She could tell that Qin Ke's elaborate cooking was partly meant to show her these dishes, allowing her to assess their value.
She had already reported the matter to the family head, who merely instructed her to act at her discretion and satisfy any reasonable requests. After all, the value of Qin Ke's novel ideas had already been fully demonstrated by Jade Pool Immortal Baths.
Would Qin Ke make unreasonable demands?
Naturally not. He was a man who preferred a comfortable life and had no great ambitions. Had he not once been crushed by power, had the lives of common folk here not been as fragile as grass, he would have been perfectly content living a prosperous, quiet life.
Moreover, he wasn't particularly interested in opening a restaurant. Though he loved good food, he didn't want the burden of managing such an enterprise.
Caiyue Pavilion already held the position of the premier restaurant. Why would he open a rival establishment, provoke Gu Lanxi, and invite unnecessary trouble? Cooperation was the wiser course.
Qin Ke took out a recipe booklet he had prepared earlier. It detailed the various ways to use vegetables such as potatoes and tomatoes. With this book, creating good dishes would be no problem.
Pei Xiu flipped through it briefly. Many of the dishes listed were ones Qin Ke had cooked for them recently, and she had tasted every single one.
The flavors were distinctive, the methods novel, each dish memorable in its own way.
Asking for a share of Caiyue Pavilion's profits would be greedy; Gu Lanxi would never agree unless she were foolish. Since that was the case, a one-time buyout was better—on the condition that Caiyue Pavilion would prioritize him as a supplier of vegetables and fruits in the future.
After a moment of silence, Pei Xiu said, "I will report this truthfully to the family head and send word by fast courier. We should have a reply the day after tomorrow. Please wait patiently, Young Master Qin."
Qin Ke had no objections.
Pei Xiu inclined her head slightly, rose, and took her leave. After returning to her room, she ground ink and carefully wrote down Qin Ke's terms in a memorial, bundling it together with the reports she had prepared earlier, ready to be sent to Jinzhou.
With a fast horse, it would arrive in one day; if all went smoothly, the family head's reply would come by the following evening.
She doubted the family head would refuse Qin Ke's proposal. He knew when to stop and never overreached, and the figures he proposed were insignificant to the fabulously wealthy Gu family.
Qin Ke knew this as well. A deal that came knocking on one's door was not something Gu Lanxi would turn down.
Sure enough, two days later, a courier wrapped in heavy cotton clothing and wearing a bamboo hat arrived at the Qin residence, travel-worn and dusty. He respectfully presented the sealed letter he had kept close to his chest.
Qin Ke instructed Han Qi to take the courier—whose lips had turned purple from the cold—to rest. He then slowly opened the letter bearing the Gu family head's emblem.
"Approved."
The words were bold and unrestrained, concise and decisive.
As expected—like master, like subordinate.
Qin Ke twitched the corner of his mouth and handed the thin, soft letter to Pei Xiu.
"Then I'll begin arranging the transport," Pei Xiu said after a glance. She turned to leave at once, her brightly embroidered silk cloak swaying gently with her steps.
…
"Madam, these are the first snacks launched by our Jade Pool Immortal Baths—fried potato strips and 'Volcanic Snow.'"
The Vice Prefect's wife, who had been chatting animatedly with several other ladies, paused and turned to look at the two plates brought in by the maid.
Her husband was the Vice Prefect of Jinzhou, second only to the Prefect himself, giving her considerable standing among the women of the city.
When Jade Pool Immortal Baths first opened, they had sincerely invited her to experience it. She brought several close friends along to see what was so special about the place.
Once there, they found it hard to leave. Ever since, they had been gathering there every few days. Those who liked activity would play a round of cuju to loosen their limbs, work up a sweat, then go soak in the baths.
They would chat while bathing, then enjoy massages from the attendants afterward. If boredom struck, they could even play a few rounds of mahjong.
With such diversions, the long, dull winter days became lively and enjoyable. How could this compare to staying at home watching those overly made-up concubines flaunt themselves? In the VIP areas here, such lowly concubines weren't even allowed inside.
That alone was reason enough for the Vice Prefect's wife to visit often.
Even those with young children could bring them along. There was a dedicated children's play area, and as long as trusted attendants watched over them, the children could play happily and make friends—why not?
Hearing that Jade Pool Immortal Baths had introduced something new, the Vice Prefect's wife waved her hand and instructed, "Serve a portion to each of the ladies here."
"What is this? It looks a bit like fruit."
She picked up a crescent-shaped red slice from the pale, patterned plate, examining it with curiosity.
"That white topping must be granulated sugar. Red against white jade—very pleasing to the eye."
She placed it in her mouth. The tomato, coated with sugar, was tart with a hint of sweetness, refreshing and bright on the palate.
"Quite delicious. I've never heard of such a vegetable before. Where did Jade Pool Immortal Baths find it?" she said, beckoning the others to try it.
"It really is sweet and sour, and the color is so vivid—bright red, very appetizing."
"I know this item. When I went to Caiyue Pavilion before, they also introduced many new dishes. This was among them. They call it 'tomato'—a newly discovered variety by the Gu family."
"I've heard of it too, but never had the chance to go. How is it? I've heard their new hotpot is extremely popular—reservations are required every day just to get a spot."
"My youngest son reserved one the other day. They even offer delivery, sending all the ingredients and the pot directly to the residence. The way of eating is very novel, and the taste is excellent. You should all try it when you have the chance."
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